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The official reveal is set for tomorrow but the internet beats BMW to the punch yet again. Not the highest quality photos but it looks like someone was able to sneak out with some pictures of the M235i. The car will have 322 horsepower from the well known N55 inline-6 turbocharged and direct injected 3.0 liter six-cylinder. How about the curb weight? A lightweight (for todays BMW) 3207 pounds making this potentially one of the best drivers cars in the BMW lineup.

BMW knows their main competition is the CLA45 AMG for this model so it will be an interesting showdown with the all wheel drive and dual clutch Benz. The M235i is rear wheel drive and available with a 6-speed manual transmission so will it be the car that is more fun to drive? Time will tell. Expect more details after the official reveal tomorrow. For now enjoy the pictures and details below.

I think an M2 is in the pipeline but I think it is at least a year away since BMW execs have just started to hint it may be coming in press interviews. As I've said before on one of these threads I think there are two most likely options for engine choices for the M2: a more "real" 4 cyl turbo based on the N20 and extensively worked on by the M division or an N55 with a tune. BMW has a slight marketing problem in that they have given the M235i the N55 and it would be a little bit confusing to consumers to have a smaller motor in the most expensive model but they could still do so and make the driving dynamics of the car the primary selling point.

It creates a problem if they do a tweaked N20 and the N55 guys have more power with just a tune.

I mean I really like the idea as they can push the motor back, it will be lighter, and the car could be all about the driving dynamics. It would also be interesting to see what an M tweaked N20 would look like and how it would stack up to the Mercedes M133.

I think it's possible they build a 400HP I4 turbo to compete with the M133. I think it might confuse the average BMW customer like someone else said too though. "I'm buying a much more expensive M car with a smaller motor than the lower costing model? WTF?" At that point, what is more cost effective to the enthusiast/modder? Buy an M235i with an N55 that has been around for years and will have tuning and aftermarket support immediately but has 100HP less than the new M car? Or get the M car with the 400HP stock and wait for the aftermarket to catch up? IDK. I hope we get an answer on the M2 soon though.

or will 400HP in the M2 put it too close to the M3/M4? maybe so. it looks like a very small gap to fill between the M235i, 335i and the M3/M4

400 will indeed be too close to the M4. BMW hasn't left much room below the m4 powerwise (kinda ironic...) so my guess would be 350-360 hp. A detuned S55 would be great in my book. Don't think they can still rely on the N54 at that moment from a marketing point of view.

I think it's possible they build a 400HP I4 turbo to compete with the M133. I think it might confuse the average BMW customer like someone else said too though. "I'm buying a much more expensive M car with a smaller motor than the lower costing model? WTF?" At that point, what is more cost effective to the enthusiast/modder? Buy an M235i with an N55 that has been around for years and will have tuning and aftermarket support immediately but has 100HP less than the new M car? Or get the M car with the 400HP stock and wait for the aftermarket to catch up? IDK. I hope we get an answer on the M2 soon though.

BMW already did a four cylinder in a chassis they had a six cylinder in with the E30 M3. Are people too stupid today to get it though? I mean if BMW is really serious about repairing their image drawing a true parallel to the E30 M3 with say an M version of the N20 in an M2. That actually makes a lot of sense. Way more than those stupid marketing photos of the 1M with the E30 M3 that all the sheep gobbled up.

Porsche's advantage with the boxer engine layout... Easy to increase displacement without so much impact to the driving characteristics of the chassis or style of the vehicle. Seems like BMW has hit a wall with the 3.0L I6. Could they increase displacement to 3.5 without altering the length of the front clip or raising CoG of the vehicle?

You better believe it will slower than the M4 around a tack and straight line.

I'm curious as to why we are even thinking an M2 is necessary when the M235i is already positioned against the CLA? The E82 1-Series never had the M135i available that only came with the next gen 1-Series.

Porsche's advantage with the boxer engine layout... Easy to increase displacement without so much impact to the driving characteristics of the chassis or style of the vehicle. Seems like BMW has hit a wall with the 3.0L I6. Could they increase displacement to 3.5 without altering the length of the front clip or raising CoG of the vehicle?

I'm curious as to why we are even thinking an M2 is necessary when the M235i is already positioned against the CLA? The E82 1-Series never had the M135i available that only came with the next gen 1-Series.

I don't really think it is necessary. Just saying if it does come, BMW is not making a bespoke M-engine from the N20. Not happening. And I sure as hell don't see them using a detuned S55.

BMW already did a four cylinder in a chassis they had a six cylinder in with the E30 M3. Are people too stupid today to get it though? I mean if BMW is really serious about repairing their image drawing a true parallel to the E30 M3 with say an M version of the N20 in an M2. That actually makes a lot of sense. Way more than those stupid marketing photos of the 1M with the E30 M3 that all the sheep gobbled up.

I could almost, *almost*, go for a boosted I4 in the M2 as a true trace back to the M roots ala E30 M3. I'd be happier with that than any sort of N55 variant.

M-B has layed down the challenge with their 2.0L turbo. BMW could make a huge statement with a 370hp S20

I don't really think it is necessary. Just saying if it does come, BMW is not making a bespoke M-engine from the N20. Not happening. And I sure as hell don't see them using a detuned S55.

So then N55 would be path of least resistance as stated.

I mean we're all speculating. If it does come, I would expect it to just take M4/M3 suspension bits, brakes, and transmission pieces with a tweaked N55. Maximum profit, minimal effort. Essentially 1M 2.0.

If BMW intends to repair the M image, then a tweaked N20 (S20?) and a 'spiritual' E30 M3 successor with weight pulled out of it makes the most sense and would actually honor their history.

I mean we're all speculating. If it does come, I would expect it to just take M4/M3 suspension bits, brakes, and transmission pieces with a tweaked N55. Maximum profit, minimal effort. Essentially 1M 2.0.

My thoughts exactly.

The M2 rumors are basically being perpetuated by the so-called BMW insider over on the other forum.